May 19th, 2021
It was a sunny day in Ashton-under-Lyne, another sleepy English town with a small, largely unknown, football club. The team I played for, Ashton United F.C., played the last game of the season versus Basford United. It was the last game of my career. I scored a penalty and helped my team to another 3 points.
I grew up in the club and spent all my life around it. When I was offered a contract with the senior team, I was ecstatic. I was always marked as a local talent but I never dreamed of actually playing for my favorite club. The coaches believed in me, and at one point, I was even scouted by West Brom and was linked to a move to their under-23 team. Unfortunately, terms were not agreed by deadline day and I remained in Ashton. Now, aged 34, I don't feel the joy when going on the pitch anymore. Injuries, stress, and depression hit me just like they hit so many others. After the match, I announced my retirement to the team and scheduled a press conference for the next day, to let the fans and the press know as well.
It would be hard to leave Ashton as I spent all my life around it. Even at the 7th tier of English football, I felt like a god here. Now, it is time to relocate myself and stay involved with football - As a manager. What will the future hold? I don't know. But I'm anxious to find out.
